Cost of Living in Murfreesboro, TN

Murfreesboro is about 8% more expensive than the national average.

What Things Cost

Compared to the US average (100)

Renting
Census ACS 2024
▲ 22%
Buying
Census ACS 2024
▲ 11%
Goods
BEA RPP 2023
▼ 6%
Services
BEA RPP 2023
▲ 7%

Murfreesboro at a Glance

Median rent$1,680/mo
Median home price$456,700
Median household income$84,457
State income taxNone
Combined sales tax9.75%
Effective property tax0.65%

No state income tax. That saves a typical household thousands per year compared to states like California (13.3%) or New York (10.9%).

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

Murfreesboro is one of the fastest-growing cities in Tennessee, 35 miles from Nashville with Middle Tennessee State University as its anchor. No state income tax. The city has doubled since 2000, driven by Nashville spillover.

Who Lives Here

Source: Census ACS 2024.

Population168,382
Median age31
College degree or higher41.4%
Homeowners48%
Renters52%
Foreign born7.5%
Vacancy rate10.6%

Why People Move to Murfreesboro

Nashville access at lower prices. MTSU provides college-town energy. No income tax. Downtown square has been revitalized. Housing savings of $70K+ versus Nashville median.

Neighborhoods

Historic downtown square has character. Sango and Blackman are popular family areas. MTSU campus area is student-oriented.

Things to Consider

I-24 commute to Nashville is 40-55 minutes. Sales tax of 9.75% is very high. Cultural scene depends on Nashville. Growth has outpaced infrastructure.

Sources: Housing from Census ACS 2024. Goods and services from BEA Regional Price Parities 2023 (Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN). Taxes from Tax Foundation. Demographics from Census ACS 2024. Full disclaimer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Murfreesboro

Increasingly, though MTSU gives it independent identity. Many commute to Nashville, but Murfreesboro has its own employers and downtown.

35 miles via I-24, typically 40-55 minutes. Many use hybrid schedules commuting 2-3 days per week. Housing savings make it financially worthwhile.

Solid regional public university with 20,000 students. Recording industry program is nationally recognized. Gives Murfreesboro cultural and economic benefits.